How airline travelers can thwart rogue TSA thieves

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) — It defies public-trust expectations, but there are rogue officers at the Transportation Security Administration who think nothing of stealing your stuff.

Consider these reports: In June, a former supervisor at Newark Liberty International Airport was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for accepting bribes and kickbacks from a co-worker accused of stealing money. The supervisor admitted that he looked the other way when the co-worker stole from $10,000 to $30,000 in cash over a 13-month period.

Since late May, there have been two separate instances reported at Los Angeles International Airport and a sting operation at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston that led to arrests and suspensions.

In April, a lead TSA officer at Kona Airport in Hawaii pleaded guilty in federal court to misdemeanor theft charges after a sting operation caught her with two $100 marked bills stuffed into a pants pocket and other crumpled bills in shirt pockets. She allegedly had been stealing cash from Japanese travelers passing through her lane, according to reports.

Overall, these and other arrests and allegations represent a small percentage of the more than 50,000 TSA officers at more than 450 U.S. airports. TSA says it inspects the baggage of some 2 million passengers daily.

The TSA also estimates that for every TSA employee who touches a bag, some six to 10 airline or airport employees and contractors also have — mostly out of view of the passenger.

The TSA has consistently stated that it has “a zero tolerance for theft” and its internal investigations and stings underscore that it is aggressive in rooting out the bad guys and women. To find them, it relies on security cameras, partnerships with local law enforcement and its own people. The Kona sting, for example, came amid complaints from fellow employees as well as customers.

“We do not tolerate, condone, cover up or minimize theft by our officers by any stretch of the imagination and in most cases, it is fellow employees uncovering the theft and the organization pushing hard for prosecution of those (who) would abuse their authority,” the TSA Blog states.

Tips to keep your property safe

There are steps you can take to keep your things out of thieves’ hands:

As much as possible, keep a watchful eye on your belongings. “You are responsible for your property as it proceeds through the screening process,” according to the TSA.

Do not pack jewelry, cash, laptops, electronics or any fragile items in your baggage. Leave anything that you can’t live without at home.

Skip the trays that the airport provides for jewelry, watches and wallets, and belts — using them invites theft. Take off those items before you get to the security line and put them in the pocket of a carry-on.

If you think your property was stolen, or damaged, during the screening process you can file a claim online.

Remember, too, that not all airports contract security through TSA. There are 16 of them — seven of which are in Montana — that have private contractors.

Be prepared. The claims form requires a lot of detail about when, where and what was taken as well as how much the item may be worth. “The more accurate and detailed the description, the faster an investigation and determination will be made,” according to the form. “Be sure to remembers names, places and events. Avoid assumptions, they can actually hinder the investigation and may delay your claim.”

Be patient. The investigation process can take fewer than 60 days to as long as six months.

If the claims management branch determines your claim is legitimate, you are entitled to a full or partial reimbursement — courtesy of your fellow U.S. taxpayers.

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